Several Health IT Stories have been selected from the federal site HealthIT.gov. New Jersey stories will be added in future, and you are encouraged to send us stories you would like to share about your experiences with Electronic Health Records, Health IT, and how they helped you or how they might have helped you had they been in place when you needed them.

Stef Woods: ‘I Appreciate the Benefits of Health IT as a Breast Cancer Survivor’As a 38-year-old breast cancer survivor, Stef Woods is on a mission: Raise awareness that breast cancer can strike at a young age and it can affect men, not just women. That's why she did a photo shoot while undergoing treatment in the chemotherapy room and why she walks the runway in breast cancer awareness fashion shows for Pink Jams! – a nonprofit breast cancer advocacy organization. Ms. Woods was diagnosed in June 2010 with an aggressive form of breast cancer, and it was early detection that is helping her beat the cancer and health information technology (health IT) which helps Ms. Woods and her providers better coordinate her care. http://www.healthit.gov/patients-families/stef-woods

Donald Jones: ‘I Approach Diabetes Management the Way I Manage Life… with My Family’An Army veteran and retired teacher, Donald Jones enjoys riding his bike, swimming with his kids, and hitting the road with his wife in their RV… despite having diabetes. What's his secret? Mr. Jones sees a doctor who uses health information technology (health IT). He can check his latest test results from the living room couch, and even get new medications while he's on the road. With the support of his doctor and family, he is still moving fast enough to catch a speedy seven-year-old grandson. http://www.healthit.gov/patients-families/donald-jones

Claire Blocker: “I Believe EHRs Helped Save My Life”Claire Blocker is President and Founder of the HeartBright Foundation and WomenHeart Champion. Claire Blocker is a survivor and a WomenHeart Champion. She has survived a stroke, heart attack, quadruple bypass surgery, and now diabetes. She believes having electronic health records (EHRs) helped save her life. Through the HeartBright Foundation, which Claire established in 2003, she raises awareness and provides resources about cardiovascular disease to underserved communities in North Carolina. Her foundation also operates a clinic with 24 volunteer doctors who rely on the EHRs to make sure their patient’s health information is as up to date and complete as possible. She recalls her story during American Heart Month this February. http://www.healthit.gov/patients-families/claire-blocker

Dave deBronkart “e-Patient Dave”: ‘I Danced at My Daughter’s Wedding’Dave deBronkart survived stage IV cancer with the help of information he found on an online network for cancer patients. Now he blogs as “e-Patient Dave,” writing about how patients can use information including EHRs to participate in their own health care. Here is his story. http://www.healthit.gov/patients-families/e-patient-dave-debronkart